Chapter 116 Turning passive into active

At 8 o'clock the next morning, Sichuan Provincial Government solemnly announced the end of the pardon period for bandits in various places in Sichuan by means of a notice of the Ming Dynasty. From today on, all departments of the Sichuan Army, the political and garrison troops at all levels, and police forces will work closely together to launch a massive bandit suppression campaign throughout Sichuan. Temporary checkpoints will be set up in southern Sichuan and eastern Sichuan, where the bandits are most severe, and the areas for bandit suppression are designated. Civilian ships will be requisitioned to combat water crimes on the Yangtze River channel, so as to protect the lives and property of tens of millions of people, clear all business roads, and promote the prosperity of Sichuan's industries.

The "bandit suppression order" of Sichuan Provincial Government was soon submerged in the boiling wave of public opinion against the imperial system across the country. No ordinary people would care about the situation of bandit suppression in Sichuan. They were anxiously waiting for the provincial military and government agencies to release news and express their positions. Everyone was worried that the war would burn their heads.

However, this announcement attracted the attention of Beijing government, military and political forces in various provinces across the country, and institutions in various countries in China. From this, it saw the position of uniting and uniting the political and military forces at all levels in Sichuan to the outside world. Before the provinces across the country except Yunnan made statements, Sichuan suddenly announced the launch of a bandit suppression campaign, which was undoubtedly a disguised announcement to prevent foreign troops from entering Sichuan through reasonable military mobilization, and vaguely expressed its determination to fight to defend Sichuan's interests.

Duan Qirui entered the presidential palace with a private telegram sent by Bao Jiqing and Xiao Yimin, nodded to the civil and military officials who were coming one after another to hold an emergency meeting, walked straight to Yuan Shikai to salute, and then presented the telegram with both hands: "Master, this is the telegram sent by Bao Jiqing and Xiao Yiming to their subordinates late last night. Please check it out."

After reading the telegram, Yuan Shikai felt relieved, but his face was displeased: "They are protecting themselves, they are trying to sit in the mountains and watch the tiger fight, and they are taking advantage of tricks!"

"Master, in general, is good news! Everyone still remembers the strength of the Sichuan Army. Since they did not openly oppose the Grand Marshal and did not announce the **, they resolutely mobilized heavy troops in southern Sichuan to block the Yunnan Army's way north, which means they still take the overall situation into consideration."

Duan Qirui opposed Yuan Shikai's proclaim to the emperor from the bottom of his heart, but was helpless and unable to change, so he could only follow the trend. Therefore, he understood Xiao Yimin and Bao Jiqing's position and practices very well.

Yuan Shikai snorted and picked up the telegram again to read it carefully.

Yuan Keding, dressed in a satin fur, quietly came over and asked Duan Qirui in a low voice. When he learned about the situation, he suggested to Yuan Shikai: "Father, maybe it was Xiao Yimin and Bao Jiqing who announced the list of titles in the first two batches. Therefore, they have not been on electricity to support their father ascend the throne. The child thought that giving them a title of Viscount Baron would definitely make them feel grateful."

"You know nothing!"

When Yuan Shikai heard this, he was furious, but he still patiently taught his son: "The situation in Sichuan is extremely special. It can be said that this family in the country has no other part-time. The victory of two foreign wars in the past four years has made the Sichuan army burst out. Moreover, the country of Sichuan Tianfu has rich resources and rapid development of industry and commerce. Although they disobey the central government and even rebellious, they did not openly rebel...

"In the past two years, they have done a good job in internal affairs. The whole area of ​​Sichuan can now be said to be politically harmonious and harmonious, and is unprecedentedly united. Under such circumstances, how can a mere title and a few orders mobilize them? Since they have expressed their attitude towards the wall in a timely manner and mobilized heavy troops to block the northward path of Cai E and the rebels of the Yunnan Army, it is undoubtedly a message to us: Sichuan will not announce **, and he, Xiao Yimin, will not rebel with the rebels, do you understand?"

Yuan Keding lowered his head in shame: "My son has been taught!"

Yuan Shikai turned to Duan Qirui: "Zhiquan, please call Ji Qing and Yiming, saying I understand, and tell them clearly that the central government's ministries will not enter Sichuan. In addition, the third list of meritorious officials who have won the title will be released in the past two days, and both of them are on the list."

"I understand! My subordinate said goodbye." Duan Qirui wanted to leave after completing the entrustment.

Yuan Shikai called Duan Qirui: "Don't leave, stay and have a meeting together. I have to rely on you for the arrangement of troops."

Four hours later, Yunnan again issued a telegram to the whole country, formed a guardian, and led the Northern Expedition. Cai E was appointed commander-in-chief of the First Army of the Guardian, and personally led the first army to Sichuan, among which:

The left-wing Liu Yunfeng strait regiment went out of Zhaotong to capture Xuzhou; the middle-wing Zhao Youxin and Gu Pinzhen strait regiment went out of Yongning to attack Luzhou; the right-wing Dai Kan strait regiment set out from Songkan, Guizhou, and advanced to Qijiang to capture Chongqing.

Li Liejun was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Second Army of the Protective, and commanded Zhang Kairu, Fang Shengtao and He Guojun, three groups of troops attacked Guangxi, which supported Yuan Shikai, and then took Guangzhou directly to meet with Guangdong Protective.

Tang Jiyao was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Third Army and the governor of Yunnan, and commanded the remaining troops and guarded Yunnan.

At 2 p.m., Beijing Central Government issued a siege order:

Zhang Jingyao, the commander of the 7th Division of the Central Army stationed on the Jingyi line, appointed as the commander of the Second Route Army, and led his troops south to Hunan, headed straight to Guizhou, and attacked the rebels;

Ma Jizeng, the commander of the 6th Division, was appointed as the commander of the First Route, and led the 7th Mixed Brigade of Tang Tianxi and one of Fan Guozhang's 20th Division, and went to Guizhou through Xiangxi to attack the rebels head-on;

Cao Kun, the commander of the Third Division stationed in Wuchang, was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the front enemy, and fully commanded all units to attack Yunnan.

As soon as the two powers were issued in the north and south, the wheels rolled and horse hooves were heard. Just when everyone thought that the commander of the Second Route Army, Zhang Jingyao, was about to lead his troops south, learned through the informant that the messenger sent by Sun Yat-sen secretly appeared in the Zhang Yan army of the Henan Army stationed in Xiangfan again. The Zhang Yan-chan mixed brigade, with many members of the Tongmeng, had already shown signs of rebellion. The purpose was to wait for Zhang Jingyao to lead the army south, and immediately raise the anti-flag flag and occupy the entire Jingxiang area.

Zhang Jingyao was shocked. While asking Yuan Shikai for instructions, he dispatched troops and successfully surrounded Zhang Yan's troops at 6 pm the next day, and then launched a fierce attack.

The mixed brigade led by Zhang Jing was already divided and there were many internal conflicts. Since stationed in Xiangfan, the military discipline of the officers and soldiers has been lax and lacked training. The generals were greedy for enjoyment and were seriously corrupt. Under the siege of Zhang Jingyao's two brigades, they suffered heavy casualties and surrendered without any resistance.

With the protection of a group of guards, Zhang Yan and his adjutant broke out of the encirclement and fled to southern Henan. They escaped a hundred miles and stopped to take a look. There were less than a thousand Henan soldiers following him.

During the battle of Xiangfan, more than 3,000 other officers and soldiers of Zhang Jin's army were either beaten to death or captured. More than 1,000 other officers and soldiers threw down their weapons and put on civilian clothes to flee everywhere. All the revolutionaries hidden in the army were betrayed and more than 40 people were pulled out of the camp and beheaded for display.

Chen Huan, the special envoy of Yuan Shikai, was leading a newly formed brigade to Changsha in an army, and on the way, he "met unexpectedly" with the messenger sent by Cai E.

The Third Division commanded by Cao Kun went south to Yueyang through water and land. The Hunan Army, which had been infiltrated by the Kuomintang, was in panic. No one dared to act rashly under the pressure of the army. A large number of people who were shaken in their minds fled from the revolutionary ranks since then.

The Sichuan Army's eyes and ears sent by the Sichuan Army still pinned its eyes on Zhang Jingyao, and sent information to Chongqing, Sichuan through various means.

On December 29, Yuan Shikai announced two orders to the whole country, one was the third list of awards, awarded the Sichuan Governor General Xiao Yimin General Zhenwu, the first-class count, and promoted Lieutenant General Bao Jiqing to the Sichuan Military Affairs Council Office, and the first-class viscount. At the same time, he ordered the two to lead the Sichuan Army and go south to attack the Yunnan Army.

The other was the order of depriving General Kaiwu Tang Jiyao, the inspector Ren Kecheng, Cai E and others of all military and political positions, and the National Wanted Office, to appoint two commanders from Yunnan who did not openly rebel against Yuan, and Liu Zuwu, acting as military and inspectors of Yunnan respectively.

Xiao Yimin was amused and crying at Yuan Shikai's orders. The guards had already announced a high-profile attack on Sichuan. The Sichuan army would fight no matter what. However, at this time, Yuan Shikai promoted Xiao Yimin and Bao Jiqing to a higher position, undoubtedly to tell the people of the world that the Sichuan army led by Xiao Yimin was completely in accordance with the orders of his emperor. As long as the Sichuan and Yunnan armies started a war, Xiao Yimin could not tell even if he had a hundred mouths.

Xiao Yimin finally sighed to the sky: "The fence-riding school is not that easy to be a good person!"

Xu Xiaogang, Wang Lingji and others who were joking with Xiao Yimin understood Xiao Yimin's difficulties. Everyone discussed for a while, and Wang Lingji made suggestions to Xiao Yimin:

"The commander wrote a letter from his own letter and sent General Zicheng to secretly go south to contact Liu Yunfeng, the general of Cai Songpo who was about to arrive in Zhaotong. Things may turn around. General Zicheng and Liu Yunfeng are both members of the Kuomintang and members of the same camp, old friends, and old friends of the commander, Dan Maoxin and Cheng Qian, are both among the Yunnan Army. As long as the matter is explained briefly, it means that our Sichuan Army is unwilling to be enemies with the Yunnan Army. I believe that Tang Jiyao, Cai Songpo and others will make careful considerations."

Xiao Yimin made a little weighing, immediately agreed, sent Lu Yixuan to invite Liu Bingxian, and quickly drafted a humble letter to let Wang Lingji and others take a look.

After repeatedly considering several words, the generals agreed unanimously. Xiao Yimin immediately wrote quickly and used his own seal. Liu Bingxian also arrived at this time.

After reading the letter, Liu Bingxian was very comforted. He was the least willing to fight this battle. He was his brother on both sides and his seniors on both sides. He was very painful for fighting with his friends in the same room, so he has not participated in various meetings these days, and everyone can understand his difficulties.

Now there is an opportunity to resolve conflicts and eliminate war. How could Liu Bingxian let it go easily? He knew that his sworn brother Xiao Yimin also opposed Yuan Shikai's proclaim to emperor and advocated social and national reforms. He not only had no disgust for the purpose of the Kuomintang, but also had many recognitions. The difference was that Xiao Yimin opposed the Kuomintang's means in the revolutionary process.

The same concern was also based on preventing the Yunnan Army from entering Sichuan this time.

Xiao Yimin has always hated the military discipline of the officers and soldiers of the Yunnan Army and the greed of officers at all levels. In order to prevent the Sichuan people from being plundered and harmed like four years ago after the Yunnan Army entered Sichuan, Xiao Yimin would rather be criticized than stand up and resist the Yunnan Army. This is the true reflection of Xiao Yimin's thoughts. The generals and officers of the entire army are obvious to all and sincerely admire them. This is also one of the important reasons why all the Sichuan Army departments obey Xiao Yimin's leadership so much.

Xiao Yimin privately expressed his feelings to Liu Bingxian more than once:

"It's not that I don't want to revolution, but that I don't want to revolutionize like this... Through years of practice and summary, Sichuan's development has given me a lot of experience and ideas, and has also brought me a lot of inspiration. If China wants to rejuvenate nationally and fight for freedom, it cannot rely on any foreign forces, otherwise the tiger will not be driven away, and it may attract jackals again!"

Liu Bingxian thought hard during his nearly half-year trip to Japan, and gradually saw many things clearly and understood. Now he deeply agreed with Xiao Yimin's point of view, so he did not hesitate at all. He immediately took on the important task of secretly going south to contact and negotiate. Moreover, he also wanted to take this opportunity to meet General Cai E whom he admired very much and have a talk.

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